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LSB2096 shipped from the Chestnut
factory on 31 Dec 1965, which makes it one of the last cars to
be built in that factory. The factory records show that it shipped
with a Ford 105E 997cc engine with dual SU-carbs, Ford 4-speed
gear box, 4.5:1 live axle, all the available options except the
oil cooler.
With bright-green gelcoated fiberglass
(unpainted) front wings and rear mudguards, and bare aluminum
body, it arrived at a dealership in Millerton, NY. It was sold
to a school teacher in Memphis, TN who drove the car for only
a year or two and no more than 600 miles. It was then consigned
to Ed Zink who owned a successful Formula Vee race shop in Knoxville,
TN, and who also may have been the local Lotus dealer.
In 1967 or 1968, LSB2096 was
purchased by amateur racer Charles Cox who added it to his collection
of race cars at his home in North Carolina. Cox owned it for
the next 25 years, during which he drove it less than 6000 miles.
In mid-1994, he consigned the Seven to a broker friend in Orlando.
In late 1994, it was bought sight-unseen
by Jim Duncan of Cambria, CA who added it to the stable of cars
at his fledgling classic car rental company "Cars with Character".
LSB2096 was still very original, but had not been serviced in
any serious way for almost 30 years. At this point, the car sported
black Series 3 rear mudguards and wide Panasport wheels. It had
quite a few dents and cracks, most of the rubber and wood was
rotted, and the car needed a good cleaning. Jim remounted the
original mudguards and Dunlop SP41 tires (all of which had been
saved by Cox) and started what would be a year of ongoing repairs.
No one ever rented the Seven, but Duncan did drive it up the
California coast to Laguna Seca for the Lotus-featured 1995 Monterey
Historics where he did a lap around the track. By the end of
1995 he was liquidating his business and advertised LSB2096 in
the classified section of Lotus reMarque.
2004 |
1995 |
Laguna Seca, 1995 |
As described in articles on the
Evergreen Lotus Car Club web page, David and Virginia Caley of
Indianola, WA then bought the Seven and, with Randall Fehr Restorations,
undertook a two-year high-caliber refreshening. David rebuilt
the engine while Randall took care of the suspension, aluminum,
and fiberglass. Great care was taken to maintain the car's originality.
David and Virginia then enjoyed a series of tours and meets in
Michigan, Georgia, British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington,
where they won several awards.
In 2004, LSB2096 traveled from
Indianola to my driveway just north of Seattle. Almost forty
years of age and still less than 13000 miles on the odometer
with David putting about half the miles during his 8-year ownership,
including a 1200-mile drive around Lake Michigan.
The Seven is still very original,
including its original Ford 105E 997cc engine, twin SU carbs,
and 4-speed gearbox.
I've since spoken to and exchanged
information with Jim Duncan and Charles Cox. Unfortunately, the
school teacher's name is long forgotten and no pre-1994 photographs
can be found. But both previous owners were happy to hear LSB2096
was still being driven and very impressed with its condition.
All photos copyright Don Christopher
or Jim Duncan
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